A Master's in Civil Engineering degree is a must for anyone involved in city road and bridge planning, and building, dam, and canal construction. The competition is tough for these jobs and a Master's degree can easily distinguish you from your peers. Several programs have been hand selected in Civil Engineering and related Engineering fields below.
MS Software Eng.
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University of Liverpool — The 2.5 year MS in Software Engineering program at the University of Liverpool explores computer structures, software engineering, and systems analysis and design. Graduates hail from across the country and include civil engineers that seek software expertise.
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MS in Electrical Eng.
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DeVry University — DeVry University's online MS in Electrical Engineering features specialties in Electrophysics, Robotics, Power Engineering, and Image Processing. Civil engineers that are looking for cross referenced experience in the electrical field find the program incredibly rewarding.
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MS in Eng. Management
MS in Electical Eng.
MS in Eng. Technologies
MS in Software Eng.
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Drexel University — Drexel University's MS in Electrical Engineering has specialties in Electrophysics, Robotics, Power Engineering, and Image Processing. Civil Engineers that are interested in gaining graduate level experience in these fields turn to Drexel to upgrade their skill set in a convenient online format.
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MS/IS in Software Eng. Mgt
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Strayer University — Strayer's MS in Information Systems covers technical, managerial, and policy issues that arise from supporting organizations and building computer systems for them. Students can choose from concentrations in Computer Security Management, Network Management, and Software Engineering Management. Civil Engineers often turn to this program to further their education.
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MS in Systems Eng.
MS in Software Eng.
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Colorado Technical University — The MS in Systems Engineering and MS/CS in Software Engineering programs at Colorado Technical University teaches the documentation and analysis of computer system designs in order to prove the high quality of the work. Civil engineers rave about this programs ability to provide them with a cutting edge education.
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MBA in Eng. Management
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Northcentral University — The MBA in Engineering & Technology from Northcentral provides civil engineers the management skills they need to advance their careers. Courses include technical classes like Emerging Technologies as well as managerial classes in Strategic Leadership and Industrial Management.
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MS in Manufacturing Eng.
MS in Mechanical Eng.
M.E. in Biochemical Eng.
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Lehigh University — Lehigh University's MS in manufacturing engineering, MS in mechanical engineering, and M.E. in biochemical engineering is cross-disciplinary, providing civil engineers, scientists, managers and technical leaders the skills they need to be competitive in today's transforming market. Classes take an interdisciplinary approach that make the program very unique.
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M.E. in Microelect. Eng.
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Rochester Institute of Technology — The Rochester Institute of Technology master of engineering degree in microelectronics manufacturing engineering program has a curriculum that offers a general background in traditional engineering as well as specialized training in the semiconductor industry. Civil engineers find the program is suitable for extending their skill set.
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MS Fire Protection Eng.
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute — The Worcester Polytechnic Institute MS in Fire Protection Engineering program applies modern firefighting technology to fire safety to advance the field of firefighting. Civil engineers are able to advance their qualifications by adding their experiences to this dynamic program.
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What is a Master of Civil Engineering?
A Master of Civil Engineering (MCE) or a Master of Science in civil engineering are graduate engineering programs that address the design, construction and maintenance of structures and environments such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, buildings, and more. This master’s degree provides you the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, training, and skills you will need to work in competitive but lucrative field. You’ll be prepared to pursue a variety of careers such as architecture, engineering, and consulting practices after completing a Master of Civil Engineering.
Individual schools have different Master of Civil Engineering programs along with different standards on how many credits are required to graduate. Often the requirement is for 30 credits on top of a previously earned master’s degree, or 60 credits total. There may also be requirements for you to gain hands-on experience. A master’s program in civil engineering can take you anywhere from 18 months to five years to finish, depending on whether you take classes part- or full-time, and your prior education.
Civil engineers usually work on public projects and infrastructure, and are distinct from military engineers, which design and develop tools and structures for military applications. You can find civil engineers on all levels of the public sphere— from municipal to national governments, or in the private sector from individual homeowners to international companies.
What are the Requirements for a Master of Civil Engineering?
Admission requirements vary depending on the school and the program you wish to attend. Typically Master of Civil Engineering programs have very high standards for those applying. First you must have an undergraduate degree in engineering from an accredited school. Occasionally programs will allow you to take some prerequisites classes as deficiencies instead of requiring you to get a complete undergraduate degree in engineering. Programs also typically anticipate you having some years of related work experience. An accredited program will expect you to fill out a formal application. The following is a list of items required for the majority of Master of Civil Engineering programs:
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5
- Official transcripts from all previously attended undergraduate colleges and universities, and proof of degree
- Official GRE/TOEFL results—GRE required if you do not have an engineering background, or if you have an engineering background but a GPA lower than a 3.0. TEFOL required for non-native English speaking students
- Letter of intent describing why you want to attend the Master of Civil Engineering program and what your future goals for the degree
- Letters of recommendation from previous academic supervisors, professors, or professional references
- Résumé or curriculum vitae from previous engineering career and job placements
When looking for a Master of Civil Engineering program you must choose one that is accredited. ABET is the main U.S. accreditation body for science and engineering programs. If the school’s program you’re exploring has not been accredited by this organization, then future employers may not hire you.
Another step for entrance into Master of Civil Engineering programs, or possibly for future employment, is the engineering exam. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying provides information about Professional Engineering licensure and administers the FE/EIT exam for civil engineering. Licensure varies per state, so it’s important to know your state’s requirements.
Master’s of civil engineering programs are not necessarily cheap; therefore another requirement is having the means to pay for it. There are both scholarship and grant options at schools as well as from outside organizations, so it’s important to look into these options before discrediting expensive programs. There are accredited online programs that have the same reputation as campus programs, so they’re an important aspect to look into when researching. In the U.S., graduate civil engineering programs can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 a year.
Sub-disciplines of Master of Civil Engineering Programs
Civil engineering has multiple sub-disciplines or areas of concentration. As a student of civil engineering you must choose where you want your expertise to lie. Typically students choose an area that they’re most talented in. The following are brief definitions of different concentrations you can choose within civil engineering:
- Coastal Engineering: This discipline manages coastal areas in order to protect towns and cities from flooding, erosion, and other natural threats. As a coastal engineer you would obviously need to live near an ocean or coastal line on the east or west coast in the United States, or elsewhere in the world.
- Construction Engineering: This branch of civil engineering monitors construction projects in cities. Construction projects can include transportation, site development, and structural engineering of all sorts.
- Earthquake Engineering: This sector of civil engineering involves designing buildings to prevent damage during earthquakes. Employment for this exists in states or countries with high risk for earthquakes, such as California.
- Environmental Engineering: This sector of civil engineering does the "dirty work" to make sure pollutants, chemicals, and waste are transported and disposed of safely. Environmental engineers also restore contaminated areas back to their natural state, when possible.
- Geotechnical Engineering: Geotechnical engineers have particular interest in landscapes, rock, and rock formations. This is a special expertise in rocks and soils to help lay solid foundations for structures to maintain building integrity.
- Materials Engineering: This sub-discipline of civil engineering involves the materials that buildings are made up of. This includes substances such as concrete, metals, ceramics, and polymers.
- Transportation Engineering: This is the development of new transportation systems or the supervision of the construction and repair of old transportation systems. It also includes the planning of new roads or traffic patterns.
- Structural Engineering: This area analyzes the structural integrity of buildings and projects. This may include, but isn’t limited to, bridges, towers, tunnels, and national monuments.
- Water Resource Engineering: This area of civil engineering must collect and manage water supplies by designing pipelines, canals, and drainage systems.
Career Prospects with a Master of Civil Engineering
There is not one typical career path for civil engineers. In general though civil engineers shape the cities we live in. Civil engineer career responsibilities lie in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems. Civil engineering also includes architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, and geo-technical engineers.
There are many different branches of civil engineering, which means the career paths of individuals will vary greatly. Typically upon graduating you’ll start in a position that requires a low level of responsibility. As you prove your competence you’ll be trusted with tasks of larger consequence such as complex analysis or design work, and you’ll surely work your way up.
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2010 national mean wage estimates for civil engineering were $39.56 per hour and $82,280 annually. The top paying industries and their mean hourly and annual wages were:
- Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment: $64.34/hr; $133,830/annually
- Hardware, Plumbing, and Heating: $53.93/hr; $112,180/annually
- Oil and Gas Extraction: $50.60/hr; $105,250/annually
- Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction: $47.70/hr; $99,210/annually
- Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas: $46.34/hr; $96,390/annually
States with the highest employment of civil engineers and their mean annual wages include:
- Alaska: $89,350
- Washington: $85,430
- Colorado: $79,530
- Hawaii: $73,620
- Wyoming: $69,410
More Resources about Master of Civil Engineering:
There are many resources that can help you understand how to become a civil engineer through a Master of Civil Engineering program. The following resources will help you understand the process to become a civil engineer, how to get jobs as a civil engineer, and what to expect in your career as a civil engineer:
- Wikipedia—What is Civil Engineering?: This Wikipedia page has a thorough summary of what civil engineering is. This page goes back to the basics with a brief history and definitions of civil engineering.
- American Society of Civil Engineers: The ASCE is the United States’ oldest national engineering society. It represents more than 140,000 members of civil engineering professions worldwide. Their website includes information on all sorts of topics, such as the history and heritage of civil engineering, most recent research, current trends, achievements, and more.
- The IEEE Engineering Management Society:
This is a society that offers publications, conferences, memberships, and awards to practitioners and researchers engaged in the profession of engineering, technology, and innovation management.
- The American Society for Engineering management (ASEM): This organization has membership, publications, news, and honor society chapters within different engineering schools.
Search for your civil engineering degree...
Complete this short form and we'll match you with degree programs tailored to your interests.
